Machine for cleaning grain



C; B. HORTON.

Grain Cleaner. I I No. 16,088. Patented Nov. E8, 1856.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHASE B. HORTON, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR CLEANING GRAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 16,088, dated November 18, 1856.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHASE B. HORTON, of Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain- Cleaners; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, in which Figure 1, is a vertical section; Fig. 2, a perspective, and Fig. 3, a side elevation.

The same letters refer to like parts.

A- is the frame of the machine,B the shaft carrying the beating cylinder and fans,-C the cylinder case, D the suction blast pipe, E the blast head. The grain enters the feed chambers F through the spout G, (Figs. 3 and where it immediately meets the suction blast created by the fans K, Fig. 1, which separates the coarser matter when it passes through the concentric ring-guard H, into the cylinder G. The shaft of the beating cylinder is surrounded in the feed chamber by a case F, which prevents the grain striking it. This case extends from the inner ring of the guard H to near the top of the chamber and is made V- shaped on the side next the spout, the point of which meets that of a horizontal inverted or lozenge, with concave sides-the two ridges forming a right angle, a Fig. 5. Upon this the grain falls and is distributed toward the outside of the chamber before entering the cylinder. Another horizontal V, w, is joined to the under side of the inverted one, which divides and spreads the ascending current of air, causing it to assist in the distribution of the grain as it falls.

The form of the cylinder case is that of a double frustum with the bases united. Its sides are composed of thin bars or slats of iron or other metal placed vertically, with spaces of of an inch or more between each. These spaces are filled up evenly to the surface of the metal bars with a concrete composed of two parts plaster of Paris, 1 ditto water lime, 2 ditto pulverized flint, mixed up with 4 lbs. shellac dissolved in one gallon of alcohol to the proper consistency, wit-h sufficient sugar of lead to make it dry readily. This when congealed forms a very hard and durable case, against which the grain is thrown and rubbed by the beating cylinder I. The gritty surface of the concrete scours the grain efiectually, and the metallic ribs prevent any change of form by the slow wear to which it is subjected. The ultimate effect of that wear is to reduce the concrete to some extent, leaving the metallic ribs raised so as to present a fluted or grooved surface. The heating cylinder I is composed of four series of vertical rods with a broad slat at the periphery of each series, and an additional slat placed alternately between each, making eight in all. These rods and slats are supported by circular frames at the top, bottom and center.

Just above the middle frame four wings or fans 76 are placed in an oblique position, the inclination being such as to carry the air upward, and at the same time to distribute the grain to the circumference of the cylinder. The grain, after passing the heaters is discharged by the spout J. Two fans are run by the beater shaftthe lower one K, creates a suction blast through the cylinder, the air being drawn in through the opening a, at the bottom, passing through the grain while in the heater and feed chamber, when it is carried by the wings of the blower in the direction of the arrows, and driven through the switch-throat L into one of the principal chambers of the blast-head E. A valve is placed in this throat with ratchet handle p, Fig. 2, for regulating the force of the blast. The switches are inclined clownward, giving that direction to the chess and other screenings until they fall and are discharged through the spout N, the blast being forced to recede by the contraction of the chamber at b, and to seek an exit through the broad opening 0, and mouth M. In its course through the grain this blast carries off all smut-balls, chess, &o., which become separated in the cylinder and holds them until its force is so relaxed by the eddy at b, that they are dropped and discharge through the spout N. Such matter as may be carried upward is intercepted by the cube 0, which is provided with slightly curved sides on its two lower faces, 6 6, having the effect to throw the particles of grain or other matter off in each direction from the center, when they fall upon the two inclined planes, (Z (Z, and are carried downward through the passages, f f, provided between the outer and inner partition of the head, until they also discharge at the spout N. They are assisted in their descent by a slight counter-current which follows down the passages f 7? The finer dust is carried off through the mouth M, thus separating it from the screenings. D is also a suction blast-tube into which the air is drawn by the upper blower fan P, entering at Q, where it meets the grain as discharged from the cylinder and frees it from all impurities not removed by the blast through the cylinder. A special arrange ment is provided for regulating this blast in the spring partition B. This partition divides the blast tube from the regulating chamber g, and is held in a vertical position by the spring h pressing it against a pin, 0. tion may be drawn back by the cord j so as to expand the base of the tube and thereby sensibly diminish the blast. By closing the bottom of the chamber 9, the spring of the valve In is made to press against the side of the chamber, opening it sufliciently to admit a portion of the air through the aperture Z.

This arrangement is for regulating the force of the blast so nicely that it will carry only the lighter particles, such as chess and imperfect grain without elevating the good grain. There is also a stop-valve with ratchet lever on the outside of the tube (see m, Fig. 3,) for regulating the blast if still too strong to be controlled. The blast after passing this valve is drawn down the arch into the fan-chamber, when it becomes a direct or force-blast. The blast-head E is divided by a vertical partition (shown by the dotted line, n, Fig. 2,) into two equal sections, alike in every particular. The blast I am describing is driven by the blower S through the switch-throat T. (Fig. 1,) (as shown by the dotted lines through the partition E) where it passes through precisely the same evolutions and conditions as the If the blast is too strong the particylinder blast before described. A small valve 8, is placed in the grain-spout J to prevent the air being drawn into the cylinder through the spout. It is light and hinged to the upper side of the spout so that the pressure of the grain will open it sufficiently to let it pass without admitting air.

U U are driving pulleys on the beatershaft, either of which may be used as the convenience of location may require.

The ringguard H, Fig. 4, consists of three or more rings of graduated sizes placed one within another, each one being flaring so as to cover the surface against a vertical line (such as the direction of the blast) but allowing the draft to pass by following the inclination of its meshes. By this arrangement any grain that may be carried upward by the blast strikes the rings and recoils.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The double-acting V-shaped distributer, Fig.- 5, in combination with the concentric ringguard, Fig. l, constructed as described, for the purpose of distributing the grain to the periphery of the cylinder while falling, and preventing its return in the blast.

2. I claim the construction and arrangement of the double blast-head E, in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. And I also claim the combination of the spring-partition R, with the springvalve K, so arranged that the expansion of the blast-tube by means of said partition shall cause the valve K to open, and thereby admit air above the mouth of the tube.

CHASE B. HORTON. lVitnesses:

A. HoLLIsTnR, RICHARD Farms. 

